Device for cleaning pipes



Nov. 1, 1927. 1,647,759 L. R. TITCOMB ET AL DEVICE FOR CLEANING PIPES Filed July '7, 1926 1 8 5 W n i l' v w" 3 0H1 M 4 "WLLULLQIQ ATTORNEY J "5' M WWW A Patented Nov. 1, 1927 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEE R. TITCOMB, OF BROOKLYN, AND HARRY S. ASHMUN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEVICE Eon CLEANING PIPES.

Application filed July 7,

"his invention relates to a new and improved device for cleaning pipes, sewers and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to j devise a simple and etiicient form of apparatus embodying a revoluble nozzle through which water can be passed, the said nozzle having external tractor means whose revolu- I tion causes the nozzle to be moved in the direction of the stream of water.

Another object of this invention is providing a device ofthis character which shall be very simple, powerful, ei'ficient and coin plot set forth in the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, it being "understood that the above general statement of the objects of this invention is intended to generally explain the same and not to limit it in any manner.

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partially in section. Fig. 2 is a front View of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an inner view of the rotor.

The device includes a rotor 1 having an outer threading 7. with an inner threaded portion to which the ball-race 3 is connected.

A coupling member 5 has a second ballrace a connected thereto, by means of suitable threading, so that a series of balls 2 provide an anti-friction bearing for the T0- tor 1. The coupling member 5 is connected to a hose member 6 to which a flexible hose can be connected. The parts before-mentioned are made of any suitable metal.

The rotor 1 is provided with a central support 10 and with a series of inner vanes 8 which are suitably secured in position by means of bolts or screws 9. These vanes 8 are spiral elements,

Hence when water is forced through the interior of the rotor 1 the action of the 4 water upon the inner vanes 8 causes the rotor 1 to revolve in the counterclockwise direction, if the rotor is viewed as shown in Fig. 1.

The nozzle 1 rests upon the bottom of the sewer or pipe which is being cleaned so that- Other objects of this invention will be This rotor 1 is provided 1926. Serial No. 120,975.

the external winding or threading 7 has considernble frictional hold upon the bottom of the pipe or sewer, and upon the deposits therein.

In addition the nozzle 1 is sufliciently heavy to cause the external threading 7 to become imbedded in the deposits or scale found upon the inside of the pipe or sewer which is being cleaned.

Since the nozzle 1 is being revolved in a counter-clockwise direction, the external thread 7 will cause the nozzle to be forwardly propelled, that is, propelled in the same direction as the stream of water which is being forced through the nozzle 1.

The outer threading 7 can be considered as belng a tractor element or member which cauaes the nozzle to be forwardly propelled thereto, a rotor mounted upon the said memv her, and tractor means external to and surrounding said rotor and united thereto and adapted to propel the said rotor.

2. In a pipe cleaning device the combination of a member adapted to have a hose connected thereto, a hollow rotor having an opening at the front thereof, and connected to the said member, the water which is passed through the said member being adapted to pass through the hollow rotor and out of the opening thereof, the said rotor having internal vanes inclined to the axis thereof and being also provided with external tractor means. 8. A device according to claim 2 in which the said external tractor means comprise an external threading whose inclination to the axis of the rotor is opposite to the inclination of the vanes.

In testimony whereof we al'liX our signa-,

tures.

LEE R. TITCOMB. HARRY S. ASHMUN. 

